connector

Abstract

This invention provides a connector that allows for the interchangeability of internal busbars even with different terminal configurations. The connector (1) comprises: a terminal (10); a first busbar (20); a first fastener (81) for fastening the terminal and the first busbar; a second busbar (30); a second fastener (82) for fastening the first and second busbars; and a housing (40) for receiving the terminal. The first busbar has a first through-hole (23) through which the first fastener is inserted. The second busbar has a second through-hole (31) through which the second fastener is inserted. The first through-hole is configured as an elongated hole with a width in a first direction greater than the width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the position of the first fastener within the first through-hole can be adjusted in the first direction. The second through-hole is configured as an elongated hole with a width in a second direction greater than the width in a direction intersecting the second direction, and the position of the second fastener within the second through-hole can be adjusted in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector comprising terminals, a first busbar, a second busbar fastened to and connected to the first busbar, and a housing for housing the terminals. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in order to supply (charge) power from outside the vehicle to the battery installed in vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, a charging connector installed in the vehicle has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192482 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The aforementioned types of connectors generally require a structure defined by various specifications. For example, the spacing between the multiple terminals (so-called power terminals) on the connector usually varies depending on the specification. Therefore, the connector components (e.g., busbars with terminals) are prepared as specialized products with different shapes and other characteristics depending on the specification. However, from the viewpoint of reducing connector production costs, it is desirable to make the connector components as universal as possible, even if the application specifications differ.

[0008] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector that allows for the use of internal busbars regardless of the configuration of the terminals.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the connector of the present invention has the following features.

[0011] A connector comprising: terminals; a first busbar connected to the terminals; a first fastener securing the terminals and the first busbar; a second busbar connected to the first busbar; a second fastener securing the first busbar and the second busbar; and a housing receiving the terminals, wherein...

[0012] The aforementioned first busbar has a first through hole for the aforementioned first fastener to be inserted.

[0013] The second busbar has a second through hole for the second fastener to be inserted.

[0014] The aforementioned first through hole is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in a predetermined first direction is greater than the hole width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the position of the first fastener within the first through hole can be adjusted in the first direction.

[0015] The second through hole is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in the specified second direction is greater than the hole width in the direction intersecting the second direction, and the position of the second fastener in the second through hole can be adjusted in the second direction.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the connector of the present invention, the terminals and the first busbar are fastened by a first fastener, and the first busbar and the second busbar are fastened by a second fastener. The first through-hole of the first busbar for inserting the first fastener has an elongated shape in a first direction, and the second through-hole of the second busbar for inserting the second fastener has an elongated shape in a second direction. Therefore, even if the terminal configuration varies depending on the specifications applied to the connector, by varying the position of the first fastener in the first through-hole according to the terminal configuration, the terminals and the first busbar can be fastened without changing the shape of the first busbar or its position within the housing. Even if the position of the first busbar needs to be different, by varying the position of the second fastener in the second through-hole according to the first busbar configuration, the first busbar and the second busbar can be fastened without changing the shape of the second busbar or its position within the housing. Therefore, even with different terminal configurations, the connector of the present invention allows for the interchangeability of internal busbars.

[0018] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the invention will become even clearer through reading the following specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The connector shown is an exploded perspective view.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 AA sectional view.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view.

[0023] Figure 5This indicates that the second bolt is held in a sliding manner. Figure 2 The rear view of the state of the first busbar on the left side is shown.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 CC section view.

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 The rear view of the second busbar shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] <Example>

[0027] Hereinafter, the connector 1 of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The connector 1 shown is, for example, a charging connector (so-called charging port) installed in the vehicle for supplying power (charging) from outside the vehicle to the battery installed in the vehicle, such as electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0028] For ease of explanation, the following is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," "left-right direction," "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" are defined. The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The left-right direction coincides with the "first direction" and "second direction" of this invention. The front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction do not necessarily need to coincide with the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction of the vehicle, etc., on which the connector 1 is mounted. The components constituting the connector 1 will be described sequentially below.

[0029] like Figures 2-4 As shown, connector 1 includes: a pair of left and right terminals 10; a pair of left and right first busbars 20, which are fastened to the left and right terminals 10 respectively by first bolts 81; a pair of left and right second busbars 30, which are fastened to the left and right first busbars 20 respectively by second bolts 82; and a housing 40 that houses the left and right terminals 10. The housing 40 is composed of a box 50, a retainer 60 assembled to the box 50, and a cover 70 assembled to the box 50. In the vehicle-mounted state of connector 1, the terminals 10 (also called power terminals) are electrically connected to the opposite-side terminals (not shown) of the opposite-side connector (e.g., a so-called charging connector) that engages with connector 1 when the battery is charging, and the second busbars 30 are electrically connected to the battery side. Hereinafter, the structure of each component constituting connector 1 will be described in sequence.

[0030] First, the terminals 10 will be described. A pair of left and right terminals 10 are held in place by the retaining member 60 that constitutes the housing 40 (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).like Figure 3 As shown, the metal terminal 10 has a rod-shaped shape that extends straight in the front-rear direction. Specifically, it is composed of a small diameter portion 11 located at the end (front) side, a medium diameter portion 12 located behind the small diameter portion 11 and having a larger diameter than the small diameter portion 11, and a large diameter portion 13 located behind the medium diameter portion 12 and having a larger diameter than the medium diameter portion 12.

[0031] The small diameter portion 11 is the cover portion 61, which belongs to the retainer 60 and will be described later (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 3 The portion of the mating connector where the mating terminals are connected, the middle diameter portion 12 is held in the terminal holding portion 63 (described later in the section on the retaining member 60) of the retaining member 60. Figure 3 The large-diameter portion 13 has a bolt hole (internal thread hole) 14 recessed towards the front on its rear end face. The first busbar 20 is fastened to the rear end face of the large-diameter portion 13 (see reference 13) using a first metal bolt 81 screwed into the bolt hole 14. Figure 2 and Figure 3 wait).

[0032] Next, the first busbar 20 will be described. The left and right pairs of first busbars 20, respectively fastened to the left and right pairs of terminals 10, are housed in the housing 50 constituting the casing 40 in a state where they face opposite directions in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 ).like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the metal first busbar 20 has a plate-like shape extending in the left-right direction, and specifically, it is composed of a fastening part 21 located on the inner side in the left-right direction and a main body part 22 located on the outer side in the left-right direction.

[0033] The fastening part 21 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and a first through hole 23 extending in the plate thickness direction (front-back direction) is formed in the fastening part 21 (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The leg (external thread portion) of the first bolt 81 is inserted into the first insertion hole 23. The first insertion hole 23 is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in the left-right direction is greater than the hole width in the up-down direction, and the position of the first bolt 81 inserted into the first insertion hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion hole 23.

[0034] The main body 22 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape, with a plate thickness (thickness in the front-to-back direction) greater than that of the fastening part 21 and the second busbar 30, and extends in the left-to-right direction. The larger plate thickness of the main body 22 results in a larger heat capacity. Therefore, the main body 22 functions as a heat storage unit that actively absorbs the heat generated in the first busbar 20 when energized. In actual use of the charging connector 1, Joule heating generated at the terminal 10 when energized causes the temperature of the terminal 10 (so-called operating temperature) to rise. Regarding this, even when the heat generated by the terminal 10 per unit time is large, such as during fast charging, by absorbing the heat transferred from the terminal 10 to the first busbar 20 by the main body 22 (heat storage unit), a rapid rise in the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can be suppressed, allowing the operating temperature of the terminal 10 to rise slowly.

[0035] A track groove 24, recessed forward and extending in the left-right direction, is formed on the rear end face of the main body 22 (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The track groove 24 has openings at its outer left and right sides. (For example...) Figure 6 As shown, a pair of recessed portions 25 are formed on the inner walls of the upper and lower pairs of grooves of the track groove 24, which are recessed outward in the vertical direction and extend in the horizontal direction. The head of the second bolt 82 facing rearward on the leg (external thread portion) has a protrusion 82a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the head (see reference). Figure 6 The second bolt 82 is received in the guide groove 24 in a state where it engages with the upper and lower recesses 25. Thus, the second bolt 82, with its leg (external thread) protruding rearwards outwards from the guide groove 24, is held in the guide groove 24 in a manner that prevents rotation but allows sliding in the left-right direction. The second bolt 82, held in the guide groove 24, is used to fasten the second busbar 30 to the rear end face of the main body 22 (see reference). Figure 3 wait).

[0036] Next, the second busbar 30 will be described. The pair of second busbars 30, which are respectively fastened to the pair of first busbars 20 on the left and right, are inserted into the pair of openings 41 (described later) that connect the inside and outside of the housing 40. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 ).like Figure 2 and Figure 7As shown, the metal second busbar 30 has a flat plate shape extending vertically in the vertical direction. A second through hole 31 extending along the thickness direction (front-back direction) is formed at the upper end of the second busbar 30. The leg (external thread portion) of the second bolt 82 is inserted into the second through hole 31. The second through hole 31 is configured to have an elongated shape with a width in the left-right direction greater than the width in the vertical direction, and the position of the second bolt 82 inserted into the second through hole 31 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the second through hole 31.

[0037] Next, the housing 50 constituting the shell 40 will be described. The housing 50 is a resin molded body, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the main body 51 has a rectangular box-like shape that is longer in the left-right direction. The front end of the main body 51 is blocked by a front wall, and the rear end is open. An opening (through hole) 52 is formed in the center of the front wall of the main body 51 in the left-right direction for inserting a pair of left and right terminals 10 held in the retainer 60 (see reference). Figure 3 At the center of the main body 51 in the left-right direction, a flat partition wall 53 extending in the vertical direction is provided to divide the longer internal space of the main body 51 in the left-right direction into two parts (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 A pair of left and right front peripheral wall portions 54 are provided on the bottom wall (lower wall) of the main body 51, extending downward from the bottom wall. These left and right front peripheral wall portions 54 constitute the front part of the peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall divides the housing 40 into a pair of left and right openings 41 extending vertically (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 4 Each opening of the main body 51. The left and right pairs of regions of the bottom wall of the main body 51, which are surrounded by a pair of left and right front peripheral wall portions 54 respectively, are cut off in a manner that opens in the vertical direction.

[0038] Next, the retainer 60 constituting the housing 40 will be described. The retainer 60 is assembled to the housing 50 in a manner that seals the opening 52 of the housing 50. The retainer 60 is a resin molded body, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, it includes: a cylindrical cover portion 61 with an open front end extending in the front-rear direction; and a flat flange portion 62 extending upward and downward and left-right from the rear end of the cover portion 61. The cover portion 61 is the part for mating with the opposite connector. Figure 3 As shown, a pair of terminal holding portions 63 are formed on the rear wall that seals the rear end of the cover portion 61. Specifically, each terminal holding portion 63 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction, and the middle diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 is held in the terminal holding portion 63 (see reference). Figure 3The spacing between the left and right terminal holding portions 63 (i.e., the left and right terminals 10) is set to a value corresponding to the specification applicable to the connector 1.

[0039] Next, the cover 70 constituting the housing 40 will be described. The cover 70 is assembled to the housing 50 in a manner that seals the rear opening of the housing 50. The cover 70 is a molded resin body, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing includes a main body 71, which has a rectangular box-like shape that is longer in the left-right direction than the rear opening of the housing 50. The rear end of the main body 71 is sealed by a rear wall, and the front end is open. A pair of left and right rear peripheral wall portions 72 are provided on the bottom wall (lower wall) of the main body 71, extending downward from the bottom wall. These left and right rear peripheral wall portions 72 constitute the rear portion of the peripheral wall, and the peripheral wall divides the housing 40 into a pair of left and right openings 41 extending vertically (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 4 Each opening of the connector 1. The left and right pairs of areas of the bottom wall of the main body 71, which are surrounded by a pair of rear peripheral wall portions 72, are cut out in a vertically opening manner. The structure of each component constituting the connector 1 has been described above.

[0040] Next, the assembly sequence of connector 1 will be described. To assemble connector 1, firstly, a pair of left and right terminal retaining portions 63 (i.e., a pair of left and right terminals 10) are prepared with retaining members 60 whose spacing is set to a value corresponding to the specifications applicable to connector 1. These retaining members 60 are assembled from the front to the housing 50 (see reference 1). Figure 3 Specifically, the retainer 60 is assembled to the housing 50 such that the rear wall of the cover 61 seals the opening 52 of the main body 51 and the flange 62 abuts against the front wall of the main body 51. In the assembled state of the retainer 60, the pair of left and right terminal retainers 63 are arranged facing the opening 52.

[0041] Next, the left and right pairs of terminals 10 are assembled to the retainer 60 from the rear. Specifically, each terminal 10 is inserted into the corresponding terminal retainer 63 from the rear, wherein the diameter portion 12 is held in the corresponding terminal retainer 63. In the assembled state of the left and right pairs of terminals 10, the small diameter portion 11 of the left and right pairs protrudes forward from the left and right pairs of terminal retainers 63 and is located in the internal space of the cover portion 61, and the large diameter portion 13 of the left and right pairs protrudes rearward from the opening 52 with the partition wall 53 sandwiched between the left and right sides and is located in the internal space of the main body portion 51 (see reference). Figure 3 Furthermore, the order in which the retainer 60 is assembled to the housing 50 and the order in which the terminal 10 is assembled to the retainer 60 can also be reversed.

[0042] Next, the pair of first busbars 20 are fastened to the pair of terminals 10. Specifically, with the fastening portion 21 located inside in the left-right direction and arranged in an orientation extending in the left-right direction, each first busbar 20 is fastened to the corresponding terminal 10 by screwing the leg of the first bolt 81, which is inserted into the first through hole 23 of the fastening portion 21, into the bolt hole 14 of the large diameter portion 13 of the corresponding terminal 10. At this time, since the position of the first bolt 81 inserted into the first through hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first through hole 23, even if the spacing of the pair of terminals 10 is different according to the specifications applied to the connector 1, the left-right position of the first bolt 81 in the first through hole 23 can be different according to the configuration of the terminals 10. This allows the terminals 10 and the first busbars 20 to be fastened without changing the shape of the first busbars 20 or the left-right position of the first busbars 20 within the housing 50. Therefore, even if the left and right orientations of the terminals 10 are different, the first busbar 20 can be used interchangeably. With the pair of first busbars 20 secured, the pair of first busbars 20 are located within the internal space of the main body 51 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0043] Next, the pair of second busbars 30 are fastened to the pair of first busbars 20. Specifically, firstly, the head of the second bolt 82 is received and held in the track groove 24 of each pair of first busbars 20 through the opening at the outer end of the track groove 24 in the left and right directions. Next, with the second insertion hole 31 located at the upper end and arranged in an orientation extending in the vertical direction, the leg of the second bolt 82 protruding from the track groove 24 of the corresponding first busbar 20 is inserted through the second insertion hole 31 and the metal nut 83 is tightened, thereby fastening the corresponding first busbar 20. At this time, because the position of the second bolt 82 inserted into the second through hole 31 can be adjusted in the left and right direction relative to the second through hole 31, even if the left and right positions of the first busbar 20 need to be different according to the specifications applied to the connector 1, by making the left and right position of the second bolt 82 in the second through hole 31 different according to the configuration of the first busbar 20, the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 can be fastened without changing the shape of the second busbar 30 or the position of the second busbar 30 within the housing 50. Thus, the second busbar 30 can be universal even if the left and right configuration of the first busbar 20 is different. Moreover, the position of the second bolt 82 held in the track groove 24 of the first busbar 20 can be adjusted in the left and right direction relative to the track groove 24, so for example, the design freedom of the left and right position of the second busbar 30 relative to the housing 50 can be increased in relation to the configuration of other busbars, wires, etc. connected to the lower end of the second busbar 30. With the pair of second busbars 30 fastened in the completed state, the pair of second busbars 30 are respectively located in the space extending in the vertical direction, which is divided by the corresponding front peripheral wall portion 54 of the box body 50.

[0044] Next, assemble the cover 70 from the rear onto the box body 50 (see reference). Figure 3 Specifically, the openings 41 are divided by the main body 71 sealing the rear opening of the box 50, and the left and right rear peripheral wall portions 72 being respectively arranged adjacent to the rear sides of the left and right front peripheral wall portions 54 (see also [reference]). Figure 4 Assemble the cover 70 onto the housing 50. With the cover 70 assembled, the housing 40, consisting of the housing 50, the retainer 60, and the cover 70, is complete. A pair of left and right second busbars 30 are inserted into a pair of left and right openings 41 that connect the inside and outside of the housing 40, extending downwards from the left and right openings 41 to the outside of the housing 40 (see reference). Figure 1 Thus, the assembly of connector 1 is completed, resulting in... Figure 1 Connector 1 is shown.

[0045] The opening 41 divided in the completed shell 40 (see reference) Figure 4The second busbar 30 has an opening width in the left-right direction such that it can pass through the opening 41 whether the second bolt 82 is located at one end of the second insertion hole 31 in the left-right direction or at the other end of the second insertion hole 31 in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the position of the second busbar 30 within the housing 40 needs to be different, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated housing 40 for each position of the second busbar 30. That is, the housing 40 can be universal.

[0046] <Functions and Effects>

[0047] As described above, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the terminal 10 and the first busbar 20 are fastened by a first fastener (first bolt 81), and the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 are fastened by a second fastener (second bolt 82). The first through hole 23 of the first busbar 20 for inserting the first fastener 81 has an elongated shape in a first direction (left-right direction), and the second through hole 31 of the second busbar 30 for inserting the second fastener 82 has an elongated shape in a second direction (left-right direction). Therefore, even if the configuration of the terminal 10 varies depending on the specifications applied to the connector 1, by changing the position of the first fastener 81 in the first through hole 23 according to the configuration of the terminal 10, the terminal 10 and the first busbar 20 can be fastened without changing the shape of the first busbar 20 or the position of the first busbar 20 within the housing 40. Even when the position of the first busbar 20 needs to be different, by varying the position of the second fastener 82 in the second through hole 31 according to the configuration of the first busbar 20, the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 can be fastened without changing the shape of the second busbar 30 or its position within the housing 40. Therefore, even with different terminal 10 configurations, the connector 1 of this embodiment allows the internal first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 to be interchangeable.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the opening 41 of the housing 40 has an opening width such that the second busbar 30 can be inserted through the opening 41 whether the second fastener 82 is located at one end of the second insertion hole 31 or the second fastener 82 is located at the other end of the second insertion hole 31. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the position of the second busbar 30 within the housing 40 needs to be different, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated housing 40 for each position of the second busbar 30. That is, the housing 40 can be universal.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first busbar 20 has a retaining portion (track groove 24) that can hold the second fastener 82 in a slidable manner. Therefore, not only can the positions of the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 be adjusted, but also the position of the second fastener 82 can be adjusted. This allows the first busbar 20 and the second busbar 30 to be interchangeable even with different terminal 10 configurations, and also increases the design freedom of the second busbar 30's position within the housing 40.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, a pair of terminals 10 are arranged in the direction (i.e., the first direction) in which the first insertion hole 23 of the first busbar 20 extends. Thus, even if the spacing of the pair of terminals 10 varies according to specifications, the terminals 10 and the first busbar 20 can be fastened without changing the shape of the first busbar 20 or the position of the first busbar 20 within the housing 40.

[0051] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first busbar 20 has a portion that is thicker than the second busbar 30 as a heat storage portion (main body 22). In actual use of the charging connector 1, the temperature of the terminal 10 (so-called operating temperature) rises due to the Joule heat generated at the terminal 10 when energized. Therefore, from the viewpoint of maintaining the quality and safety of the connector 1, the upper limit of the operating temperature of the terminal 10 is sometimes determined by specified specifications. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, since the heat generated in the first busbar 20 when energized is absorbed by the heat storage portion 22 with a large heat capacity, even when the heat generated per unit time at the terminal 10 is large, such as during fast charging, a rapid rise in the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can be suppressed, and the operating temperature of the terminal 10 can rise slowly.

[0052] <Other methods>

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be employed within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of the constituent elements in the above embodiments are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they enable the implementation of the present invention.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the first through hole 23 of the first busbar 20 has an elongated shape in the left-right direction, so that the position of the first bolt 81 inserted into the first through hole 23 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first through hole 23. Similarly, the second through hole 31 of the second busbar 30 has an elongated shape in the left-right direction, so that the position of the second bolt 82 inserted into the second through hole 31 can be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the second through hole 31. Alternatively, the first through hole 23 of the first busbar 20 can have an elongated shape in the left-right direction, allowing the position of the first bolt 81 to be adjusted in the left-right direction relative to the first through hole 23, while the second through hole 31 of the second busbar 30 has an elongated shape in the vertical direction, allowing the position of the second bolt 82 to be adjusted in the vertical direction relative to the second through hole 31.

[0055] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 of the present invention are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [5].

[0056] [1] A connector (1), characterized in that,

[0057] Includes: a terminal (10); a first busbar (20) connected to the terminal (10); a first fastener (81) fastening the terminal (10) and the first busbar (20); a second busbar (30) connected to the first busbar (20); a second fastener (82) fastening the first busbar (20) and the second busbar (30); and a housing (40) housing the terminal (10), wherein,

[0058] The first busbar (20) has a first through hole (23) through which the first fastener (81) is inserted.

[0059] The second busbar (30) has a second through hole (31) through which the second fastener (82) is inserted.

[0060] The first through hole (23) is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in a predetermined first direction is greater than the hole width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the position of the first fastener (81) within the first through hole (23) can be adjusted in the first direction.

[0061] The second through hole (31) is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in the specified second direction is greater than the hole width in the direction intersecting the second direction, and the position of the second fastener (82) in the second through hole (31) can be adjusted in the second direction.

[0062] According to the connector configuration described above [1], the terminals and the first busbar are fastened by a first fastener, and the first busbar and the second busbar are fastened by a second fastener. The first through-hole of the first busbar for inserting the first fastener has an elongated shape in a first direction, and the second through-hole of the second busbar for inserting the second fastener has an elongated shape in a second direction. Therefore, even if the terminal configuration varies depending on the specifications applied to the connector, by varying the position of the first fastener in the first through-hole according to the terminal configuration, the terminals and the first busbar can be fastened without varying the shape of the first busbar or its position within the housing. Even if the position of the first busbar needs to be different, by varying the position of the second fastener in the second through-hole according to the first busbar configuration, the first busbar and the second busbar can be fastened without varying the shape of the second busbar or its position within the housing. Therefore, even if the terminal configuration is different, the connector of this structure can share the internal busbar.

[0063] [2] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0064] The housing (40) has an opening (41) through which the second busbar (30) passes between the inside and outside of the housing (40).

[0065] The opening (41) has the following opening width in the second direction: the second busbar (30) can be inserted into the opening (41) when the second fastener (82) is located at one end of the second through hole (31) and when the second fastener (82) is located at the other end of the second through hole (31).

[0066] According to the connector configuration described above [2], the opening of the housing has an opening width that allows the second busbar to be inserted into the opening when the second fastener is located at one end of the second through hole and when the second fastener is located at the other end of the second through hole. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the position of the second busbar within the housing needs to be different, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated housing for each position of the second busbar. That is, the housing can be universal.

[0067] [3] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0068] The first busbar (20) has a retaining portion (24) that holds the second fastener (82) in a manner that allows it to slide along the second direction.

[0069] According to the connector configured as described above [3], the first busbar has a retaining part that holds the second fastener in a sliding manner. As a result, not only can the position of the first busbar and the position of the second busbar be adjusted, but also the position of the second fastener can be adjusted, so that the internal busbar can be shared even if the terminal configuration is different, and the design freedom of the position of the second busbar in the housing can be improved.

[0070] [4] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0071] A pair of terminals (10) are arranged in the first direction.

[0072] According to the connector configured as described above [4], a pair of terminals are arranged in the direction (i.e., the first direction) extending from the first through hole of the first busbar. Thus, even if the spacing between the pair of terminals varies according to the specifications, the terminals and the first busbar can be fastened together without changing the shape of the first busbar or the position of the first busbar within the housing.

[0073] [5] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0074] At least a portion of the first busbar (20) is thicker than the second busbar (30).

[0075] At least a portion of it functions as a heat storage unit 22.

[0076] According to the connector structure described above [5], the first busbar has a portion that is thicker than the second busbar as a heat storage section. In actual use of the connector for charging, the terminal temperature (so-called operating temperature) rises due to the Joule heat generated when the power is applied. Therefore, from the perspective of maintaining connector quality and safety, the upper limit of the terminal operating temperature is sometimes determined by the specified specifications. The connector of this structure uses a heat storage section with a large heat capacity to absorb the heat generated in the first busbar when the power is applied, so that even when the heat generated per unit time of the terminal is large, such as during fast charging, the rapid rise in the terminal operating temperature can be suppressed, and the terminal operating temperature rises slowly.

[0077] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0078] 1 Connector

[0079] 10 terminals

[0080] 20 First Convergence Line

[0081] 22 Main body (heat storage section)

[0082] 23 First through hole

[0083] 24. Track groove (retaining part)

[0084] 30 Second Confluence

[0085] 31 Second through hole

[0086] 40 Housing

[0087] 41 Opening

[0088] 81 First Bolt

[0089] 82 Second Bolt

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, It includes: a terminal; a first busbar, the first busbar being connected to the terminal; A first fastener secures the terminal and the first busbar. The second busbar is connected to the first busbar; The second fastener secures the first busbar and the second busbar together. and a housing that houses the terminals, The first busbar has a first through hole for the first fastener to be inserted. The second busbar has a second through hole for the second fastener to be inserted. The first through hole is configured to have an elongated shape in which the width in a predetermined first direction is greater than the width in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the position of the first fastener within the first through hole can be adjusted in the first direction. The second through hole is configured to have an elongated shape in which the hole width in the specified second direction is greater than the hole width in the direction intersecting the second direction, and the position of the second fastener in the second through hole can be adjusted in the second direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The housing has an opening for the second busbar to pass through inside and outside the housing. The opening has the following width in the second direction: the second busbar can be inserted through the opening when the second fastener is located at one end of the second through hole and when the second fastener is located at the other end of the second through hole.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The first busbar has a retaining portion that holds the second fastener in a manner that allows it to slide along the second direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, A pair of terminals are arranged in the first direction.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the first busbar is thicker than the second busbar. At least a portion of it functions as a heat storage unit.

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